Branch Manager

Lorain Public Library System; Lorain (OH); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Lorain Public Library System is seeking a Branch Manager in Lorain, OH. The role requires strong leadership, budgeting, and staff development skills to oversee daily operations and service delivery.

The position emphasizes community engagement, collection management, fiscal operations, and program planning, with responsibility for guiding staff and maintaining quality library services across the branch.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Library and Information Science required.
• OLC certification preferred.
• 5+ years of relevant experience preferred.
• 2+ years supervising experience preferred.
• Pre-employment drug screening required.
• Criminal background and education verification checks required.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a key member of management; understands organization, financials, customers, and strategy.
• Supervises employees, provides direction, coaches, trains and develops, hires, and manages performance to goals.
• Manages budgets and resources; understands financial position.
• Manages vendors and outside service providers; sets expectations and accountability.
• Oversees branch physical plant; reports issues to Facilities Manager or supervisor.
• Coordinates, plans and promotes various library activities; leads branch operations.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Staff development

Customer service

Communication

Strategic planning

Project management

Librarian knowledge

Education

Master’s degree in Library and Information Science

Job description

Job DetailsJob Location: Lorain, OH 44055

Distinguishing Features of the Position

The Branch Manager performs a variety of complex technical and administrative tasks requiring considerable independent judgment and in-depth knowledge related to the management of branch operations.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Serves as a key member of management; understands the organization, financials, industry/sector, customers, and strategy.
• Supervises employees, provides direction, coaches, trains and develops, hires, and manages performance to organization goals and expectations.
• Manages budgets and resources effectively and efficiently; knows and understands organization’s financial position.
• Manages vendors and outside service providers effectively; sets expectations and holds them accountable.

Building Management

Oversees branch physical plant (cleanliness, safety, security, use); reports problems to the Facilities Manager and/or immediate supervisor.

Collection Management

Selects and maintains materials for department or branch collection.

Community Engagement

Acts as the face of the library with the community, and participates in civic and local organizations.

Fiscal Operations

Assists in budget preparation and maintenance by forecasting department or branch library requirements and monitoring/approving expenditures.

Marketing

Maintains good public relations with the neighborhood, community or target populations served by the unit.

Personnel Management

• Trains, coaches, and makes assignments to subordinates, evaluates their performance, and recommends personnel actions.
• Monitors unit operations and customer service, ensures any necessary corrections are made, and implements staff changes to improve activities.

Policies & Procedures

Directs operations of library branch by assisting in developing short-range and long-range plans, determining internal policies and procedures, and coordinating the development of goals and objectives for the unit.

Programming

Coordinates, plans and promotes various library activities.

Project Management

• Manages and leads in the operation of a library branch.
• Attends meetings, continuing education programs and conferences to keep informed of current trends, issues and methods related to the assigned area of responsibility.
• Alternates with other Branch Managers as the person in charge of the Main Library.
• Serves as a member of the Library's Management Team.
• Prepares correspondence and hears and resolves complaints.
• May lead and facilitate standing or special committees.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree in Library and Information Science is required.
• Certifications or licensure: OLC certification is preferred.
• Years of relevant experience: 5 or more years is preferred.
• Years of experience supervising: 2 or more years is preferred.
• Pre-employment drug screening is required.
• Criminal background and education verification checks are required.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of professional library principles, methods, techniques and procedures
• Knowledge of reader interest levels
• Skill in reader’s advisory
• Skill in collection development
• Skill in working with collective bargaining
• Ability to lead, plan and supervise the work of others
• Ability to use office productivity and communications software applications in a computerized, networked environment
• Ability to convey information from leadership team to staff; liaison role
• Ability to work with discretion and integrity when accessing or handling sensitive labor relations and management information, including matters related to negotiations, grievances, and personnel decisions, in a manner consistent with the responsibilities and legal obligations of a confidential employee.
• Ability to travel locally to library branches.
• Ability to use a computer and job-related software or systems applicable to the essential functions of the job, which may include, but not be limited to email/calendar software, internet/intranet browsers, word processing, spreadsheets, database software, and various systems of software used by the Library.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions - Light

• The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of offices, which includes the need for general safe workplace practices with office equipment and computers, avoidance of trips and falls, and observance of fire regulations.
• Employee may be exposed to hot and cold weather conditions to perform tasks, or warmer or cooler temperatures within Library buildings and property.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
• This position is performed in an office setting although off-site meetings in various settings occur.
• Lifting light objects of up to 25 pounds and carrying them distances of up to 25 feet is required.
• Moving light objects of up to 25 pounds and pushing them distances of up to 25 feet is required.
• May require working irregular hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Frequent local travel by library vehicle/personal automobile is required.
• Occasional overnight travel may be required.

The intent of this position description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description. Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities covered by the Americans with Disability Act [ADA] in accordance with its requirements.